As Baldur's Gate 3 follows standard Dungeons & Dragons 5e rules, both D&D players and newcomers should pay close attention to character progression. Characters don't just receive new Class Features that reflect their growth in their chosen Class. In traditional D&D, players get the option to choose between making an Ability Score Improvement (ASI) or, at certain levels, choosing a Feat for their character. An ASI allows players to assign new points to Abilities to further improve their character's base stats. However, Feats grant special perks to their characters.
Like Class Features, Feats often come with various effects that players can mix and match with their builds. Thankfully, BG3 adopts most Feats from D&D 5e into the game. For players who prefer to use Feats for their characters, these Feats are worth considering.
Updated August 20, 2023 by Rhenn Taguiam: Feats remain at the forefront of Baldur’s Gate 3 builds. They can add Attributes and Skills, grant Proficiencies and access to new Spells, and completely change a character’s playstyle. By offering unprecedented flexibility options, some Feats can become game-changers in various game stages, especially now that Baldur’s Gate 3 has finally left early access. These particular Feats may not be at the top of players' radars, but they're worth picking out thanks to the benefits they can offer.
15 Lucky
In an RPG like Dungeons & Dragons, the worst rolls can sneak up on players in all the wrong places. A Persuasion attempt gone wrong could lead into an all-out encounter, and pulling a Critical Failure on an attack roll could lead to nasty consequences. Such are the mechanics present in Baldur’s Gate 3 that adapts the same system. This makes Lucky quite the useful Feat for players who can’t afford to fumble their rolls.
With Lucky, players have a stock of 3 Luck Points they can use to secure an Advantage on Attack Rolls, Ability Checks, and Saves. They can use the same set of charges to make an enemy reroll an attack. Lucky serves as quite the upgrade to a traditional Bardic Inspiration charge, transforming the perk into gaining Advantage instead of a mere bonus.
14 Mage Slayer
Spellcasters are some of the most powerful beings in Baldur’s Gate 3 playthroughs, with their spells often turning the tide of battle in unforeseen circumstances. An enemy spellcaster could cast a melee spell that debilitates that PC’s performance, rendering them useless for the rest of combat. This is where Mage Slayer comes in, as this punishes spellcasters for even breathing in the general vicinity of its user.
When acquired, Mage Slayer allows its user to use their Reaction to strike a caster in melee range that is about to cast a spell. Moreover, if the user becomes a target of that same spell, they have Advantage on all Saves associated with it.
13 Shield Master
In a roll-heavy game like Baldur’s Gate 3, anything that makes it difficult for enemies to hit player characters are a must-have. Shields form a majority of these defensive boosters, as their default +2 AC can spell the difference between a killing blow and a complete fumble. And for melee specialists who like to use Shields, the Shield Master Feat turns their defensive gear into tactical powerhouses.
When acquired, this feat gives users +2 Bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws when using Shields. Moreover, players can use a Reaction to cover themselves with their Shield should an effect force them to make a Dexterity Save. Failing the Save now halves the damage dealt to Shield Masters, with a successful Save nullifying the damage entirely.
12 Moderately Armored
Whereas spellcasters prefer not to wear Armor as this inhibits their spellcasting abilities, non-caster characters rely on a myriad of gear to augment their defensive capabilities. Light Armor may be easy to wear, but their default AC just won’t cut it compared to Heavy Armor counterparts. However, Heavy Armor does impose penalties on Stealth Checks to those not Proficient in them. These caveats make Medium Armor one of the best Armor options in the game, and Moderately Armoured allows players to use it effectively.
Moderately Armoured grants Proficiency in the aforementioned gear type as well as Shields. Players also get a +1 Ability Point they can allocate to either Strength or Dexterity.
11 Sentinel
A tank’s build in Baldur’s Gate 3 needs to ensure they can defend the rest of the party from the fiercest of threats. However, tanks often rely on melee hits, meaning they’re not always within reach to help an ally. Combat limitations mean that tanks are only useful during their turns or during their Reactions. However, Sentinel makes the tank a more viable combat role due to added versatility.
Best suited for characters who love up-close players, Sentinel allows its users to React with an armament like a Versatile Weapon to strike an enemy within melee range who plans on attacking a nearby ally. Moreover, Sentinel grants the user Advantage on all their Opportunity Attacks, with opponents hit by them no longer having movement for the rest of their turn.
10 Ability Improvements
Perhaps players might want to focus on character growth instead of adding to their abilities. In that case, they might find a better use of their Feats in the form of Ability Improvements (AI). Unlike D&D, BG3 includes AI (their version of ASI) under the list of Feats. With AI, characters can get +2 Ability points to any Attribute they wish.
Unlike other Feats, the AI serves as an extremely straightforward means of character progression. For Spellcasters, an AI can increase the potency of their Spells. Characters can also use an AI to improve their chances on Saving Throws against effects (e.g., Dexterity and Wisdom), or improve on lower stats in general.
9 Athlete
At first glance, Athlete doesn't seem like a useful Feat. After all, if all Athlete does is give +1 Strength or Dexterity, why should players bother? Interestingly, it's the part that makes prone recovery cost less movement that makes all the difference.
In D&D 5e, standing up from being prone costs half a character's speed. Despite how BG3 reduces this cost, being prone can severely become a disadvantage to any character. Given how BG3 has limited action options, having free movement without being prone can help players escape certain doom.
8 Defensive Duelist
In combat, safety is everything. And in the case of BG3 and D&D 5e, safety relies on Armor Class (AC). Essentially, the game calculates AC based on a set AC provided by the armor - with bonuses, if said armor falls under Light or Medium Armor. Meanwhile, Classes with Unarmored Defense features (e.g., Barbarians, Monks) simply calculates AC based on their DEX Mod. Shields and protection Spells such as Shield can boost AC.
Defensive Duelist can also give AC a slight boost. With this Feat, players can use their Reaction to give their AC a slight bonus when being attacked in melee. Despite how this only works once per turn, foregoing the chance to do an Opportunity Attack to defend against an attack can become a lifesaver against bosses.
7 Great Weapon Master
Melee combatants such as the Fighter, Barbarian, and Paladin often opt for two-handed weapons if they want a more aggressive approach in combat. After all, most Great Weapons often have higher base attacks compared to a sword-and-shield combo. However, these melee geniuses might want to maximize their damage potential with the Great Weapon Master Feat.
The Feat grants certain perks to Great Weapon users. For starters, critical hits (a natural 20) or killing blows allow the character to perform a follow-up attack as an additional action. However, its second perk does come at a risk. Players with this Feat that use a Great Weapon they're Proficient in will get -5 penalty on their attack rolls in exchange for +10 damage. Interestingly, this +10 may be tempting for min-maxers who want to go "all-or-nothing" on their power builds.
6 Lightly Armored
Taking up the Lightly Armored Feat gives characters a +1 boost to Strength or Dexterity, as well as Light Armor Proficiency. In turn, this Feat allows players to wear Light Armor such as Leather Armor, Padded Armor, and Studded Armor variants. Interestingly, Early Access Classes except the Wizard get Light Armor Proficiency on the get-go, making this Feat seemingly-useless. However, upcoming Classes such as the spellcaster Sorcerer might appreciate this add-on.
For instance, the Sorcerer has no Armor Proficiencies. Unless they want to suffer Ability Check Disadvantages by wearing armor they're not proficient in, Clothes remain their best choice in BG3. Unfortunately, Clothes only form an AC of 10 + DEX Mod. With Light Armor Proficiency, a Sorcerer can wear Light Armor, which gives them a default 11AC to 13AC + DEX Mod. Moreover, if they put the Feat's bonus into Dexterity, they may potentially increase both their AC and their ability to do DEX Saving Throws.